Time to Strut: BlogHer ’13 Fashion Show

I finally have a chance to sit and write a post. This last week has been a whirl wind. I spent all last week in Chicago for BlogHer 13, all day Sunday trying to get out of Chicago, to then fly into Texas, to rendezvous with the husband and eventually back to Tulsa. It’s good to be home. But, this post isn’t about all of that, it’s about the fact that I got to strut my stuff on a runway.

Just over a month ago I got an email that went something like this: “Hey, you were recommended to walk in the annual BlogHer Fashion show this year. You up for it?” My response, “Sure! If you promise not to hold it against me when I go down on my face.” And, just like that I was in a fashion show.

After agreeing to walk in the fashion show I had periodic nightmares that consisted of the following scenarios. 1.) Totally wiping out and getting a face full of runway. 2.) Spanx rolling both up and down, meeting at the waist and cutting me in half. 3.) Embarrassing wardrobe malfunction that ended with something hanging or popping out. 4.) Unconsciously picking a wedgy in front of over 1,000 bloggers while the spotlight is literally on me.

I am more than happy to report none of my fears came true. I got a little confused and tied up in a jacket that I tried to take off like a boss, but other than that it was all cool. What I didn’t expect was how much fun it turned out to be. I got to meet some wonderful women, all different and fabulous in their own way.

The show was brought to you by the letters U, G & D. Ulta, who did all the make-up and hair styling for us models. (Ha, ha, ha….Models!) Gift Bar, who worked with local Chicago retailers to clothe us in fabulousness. And, the fabulous Darlene Gillard Jones and her crew of stylists, who curated the show and put us in some rocking threads.

Our call time was 2 pm, showtime was 7:30. Sounds like a long time, but it turned out we needed every minute of it.

First we had to line up like good little girls and practice our walk on the runway. All I can say is thank the Lord for carpeted runways.

We also found out that our faces were going to be up on the big screen for all to see. Eeeek! This is our fabulous leader Darlene. Say, “Heeeey! Darleeeeene!”

After our practice walks on the runway we were rushed down stairs, where our not so model selves stuffed our faces with crackers, cheese and sweets before we had to sit for make-up and hair. We did all this right before we had to squeeze into our super-suck-it-in underwear. Which by the way is a workout all on it’s own.

The entire set up was a model assembly line. One chair for foundation, another chair for eyes, another for lashes and another for hair. All of the staff from ULTA were super sweet and excited to be there. And, they asked me about myself and my blog, it is all about me after all.

Finally after several hours the moment of truth had come. It was time to strut our stuff on the runway. A crew of gorgeous fabulous women walked out into the hallway and practice their fiercest walk down the corridor. You couldn’t hear it but, I am pretty sure “Right, Said, Fred” was playing in the background. We road up the elevator, which smelled like seared steak, and were ushered back stage.

The anticipation was killing all of us, anxious to get it done!

Here are a few things you would have heard backstage from us models:

“My Spanxs are riding up.”

“I can’t believe I am doing this!”

“No one is going to eat it.”

“Dang it! I have to pee! It’s just nerves. It’s just my brain that needs to pee.”

“Do I have a bat in the cave?….A what?….A booger?….Oh, No your good.”

“I just have to make it down the runway in these shoes.”

“This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy….”

“Alright models, time to go!”

Suddenly it was time. There I was, third in line to walk out on the runway.

Next thing I know it’s my turn. I am gently tapped on the back and I walk out. Talk about over stimulated. All at once, the music is playing and the lights are on me. All I can make out in the distance are shadows and to my left I hear some crazy ladies are screaming my name. “MEEEEEESEIDYYYYY!!!!!” Talk about a confidence booster! All self consciousness faded away. I was rocking it!

I did my strut, took off the jacket I had on and for some reason did my best Superwoman pose. Really?!

Then I walked off stage, sprinted in my high heels to the dressing area to change into my second look and do it all over again.

The moral of this story is that if you are ever asked to walk in a fashion show, don’t doubt yourself, just do it! It’s an experience that you will pocket away and cherish forever. I got to spend an entire afternoon with an amazing group of women that I can now call friends. Women that I probably would never had met otherwise.

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Welcome to The Noshery! I’m Meseidy (Meh-say-dee). Wife and mother to three four-legged children. Culinary school graduate and landlocked Puerto Rican who must be within a five-mile radius of a plantain at all times. Read More…

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Meseidy Rivera has worked as a chef, recipe developer, caterer, brand ambassador and food stylist. If you’re interested in teaming up with her, have a question about a recipe, or want to join the Buster Terrier fan club (population: himself), lets connect! I’ll have my people contact your people, okay?